Low-Dose Radiation Therapy for Benign Conditions

Low-dose radiation therapy is a safe, non-surgical treatment that uses small doses of radiation to reduce pain and inflammation caused by non-cancerous conditions.

While radiation therapy is often associated with cancer care, low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) is different.

LDRT uses very small, targeted doses of radiation to treat benign (non-cancerous) conditions that cause pain, inflammation or tissue overgrowth. This can help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life without the side effects of high-dose radiation treatments.

At Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, LDRT is available through our comprehensive radiation therapy program, which is part of Atrium Health Levine Cancer. Treatment is delivered at our convenient radiation oncology clinics in High Point and Lexington.

How Does Low-Dose Radiation Therapy Work?

During treatment, a machine called a linear accelerator gently delivers radiation to the affected area. The dose is carefully calculated to be low enough to avoid damaging healthy tissue, but strong enough to help reduce inflammation or slow abnormal cell growth.

LDRT treatment is usually quick, painless and completed in just a few sessions. Because the radiation is so precisely targeted, side effects are typically minimal.

What Conditions Are Treated With Low-Dose Radiation Therapy?

We treat a range of benign conditions with LDRT, including:

Gynecomastia
Keloids
Osteoarthritis
Plantar fasciitis
Plantar/palmar fibromatosis
Traumatic bone fractures

For some conditions, moderate doses of radiation may be needed. Your care team will determine the best approach based on your diagnosis and health needs.

What Are the Benefits of Low-Dose Radiation Therapy?

Low-dose radiation therapy offers several advantages for patients with non-cancerous conditions, especially those seeking alternatives to surgery or medication:

Non-invasive: LDRT offers a non-surgical option for patients who aren’t candidates for surgery or haven’t responded to conventional treatments like injections or medications.
Minimal side effects: Most people experience little to no side effects. If they do occur, they’re usually mild — such as slight skin redness or fatigue.
Improved quality of life: Many patients report less pain, better movement or visible improvement in their skin after treatment.

Why Choose Us for Low-Dose Radiation Therapy?

We combine compassionate care with advanced expertise to deliver the highest quality treatment:

Expertly tailored care: Your condition is unique, and your treatment should be too. Our experienced physicians personalize care plans to match your specific diagnosis and health needs.
Collaborative team approach: You’ll be cared for by a group of specialists – including experts in radiation therapy and orthopaedics – who work together to help you feel better and get the best results.
Advanced technology and techniques: From imaging to treatment, we use the latest tools – including highly precise machines called linear accelerators – to make your care as safe and effective as possible.

What To Expect During Treatment

Our LDRT treatment process is designed to be safe, comfortable and tailored to your needs. Here’s what you can expect:

Consultation: Talk to your primary care doctor, orthopaedic specialist, dermatologist, endocrinologist, or other healthcare provider to see if radiation therapy might help you. They’ll review your medical history and decide if a referral for low-dose radiation therapy is appropriate.
Personalized treatment plan: If LDRT is recommended, you’ll visit one of our radiation therapy centers. There, you’ll meet with a radiation oncologist who specializes in treating non-cancerous conditions. They’ll work with a team to create a plan that targets the affected area while protecting healthy tissue.
Treatment appointments: During each treatment session, you’ll lie comfortably on a table while a machine called a linear accelerator delivers low-dose radiation to the affected area. Most sessions take 15 minutes or less, and most people need only 3-5 sessions over a few weeks.
Monitoring and follow-up care: Your care team will monitor your progress, check for side effects, and answer any questions throughout your treatment and recovery.

Your LDRT Care Team

Throughout your treatment, you’ll be supported by a team of experts who work together to make sure you receive safe, effective and personalized care. Members of your care team include:

Radiation oncologist: A doctor who specializes in using radiation to treat medical conditions. They’ll assess your diagnosis and create a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Radiation therapists: Specially trained professionals who use imaging and advanced equipment to deliver your customized radiation treatments with care and precision.
Medical physicists: Experts who work closely with your doctor to ensure your treatment is delivered safely and accurately, using the correct dose while protecting healthy tissue.
Medical dosimetrists: Specialists who help design your treatment plan by calculating the exact dose and angles needed to target the affected area.
Radiation oncology nurses: Nurses who are experienced in caring for patients receiving radiation therapy. They’ll help explain your care plan, monitor your progress, and support you throughout treatment.

Providers

Locations

Radiation Oncology

at Hayworth Cancer Center

Address

601 N. Elm St.

First Floor

High Point, NC 27262

Get Directions

Hours of Operation

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 5 pm

Contact Us

336-878-6036
336-878-6704 (FAX)

Radiation Oncology, 601 N. Elm St. - Google Maps

Radiation Oncology - Lexington

Address

107 W. Medical Park Drive

Suite 102

Lexington, NC 27292

Get Directions

Hours of Operation

Mon - Fri: 8 am - 4:30 pm

Appointments

336-713-0042
336-713-0135 (FAX)

Radiation Oncology - Lexington, 107 W. Medical Park Drive - Google Maps

Care and Treatment

Conditions

Bone Fracture

Fibromatosis

Gynecomastia

Keloid

Osteoarthritis

Plantar Fasciitis

Insurance

Insurance Accepted

This chart is a list of the most common health insurance plans we accept. This list is subject to change. Please check your individual plan to confirm their participation and the coverage allowed.

Due to the different physician groups and hospitals within the Wake Forest Baptist system, physician services and hospital services are billed separately. Please remember that health insurance coverage varies, so some services may not be covered.

If you don’t see your plan or you have questions, please call our Customer Service Center at 877-938-7497. We will do our best to work with you and your plan.

Key

WFUHS - Wake Forest University Health Sciences (professional services)
NCBH - North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Includes Davie)
LMC - Lexington Medical Center
CHC - Cornerstone Healthcare
Wilkes - Wilkes Regional Medical Center
HPR- High Point Regional
N/A - Not applicable to services provided at facility and/or CHC
NC -Not Contracted, very low to no volume for facility and/or CHC

Wake Forest Baptist Health Managed Care/MA Contracts - April 2024

AETNA CONNECTED NC ACA/Exchange: Accepted at all locations

AETNA NC PREFERRED+: Accepted at all locations

AETNA (PPO & HMO): Accepted at all locations

AETNA MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

AETNA WHOLE HEALTH: Accepted at all locations

ALIGNMENT HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

AMBETTER OF NC: Accepted at all locations

AMERIHEALTH CARITAS NEXT ACA/Exchange: Accepted at all locations

BCBSNC (PPO & HMO): Accepted at all locations

BCBS HIGH PERFORMANCE (NATIONAL NETWORK): Accepted at all locations

BLUE LOCAL WITH ATRIUM HEALTH: Accepted at all locations

BLUE MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

BLUE VALUE: Accepted at all locations

CAROLINA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not applicable to services provided at LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

CIGNA: Accepted at all locations

CIGNA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and High Point (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC and Wilkes)

CIGNA HEALTHSPRING MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, CHC and High Point (not applicable to services provided at Wilkes)

CIGNA LIFESOURCE (TRANSPLANTS): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

CRESCENT PPO (ASHEVILLE): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

DEVOTED HEALTH (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at all locations

DIRECT NET: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for CHC)

FIRST HEALTH NETWORK: Accepted at NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS and CHC)

FIRSTCAROLINACARE (PINEHURST, NC): Accepted at NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS, LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

GATEWAY HEALTH ALLIANCE (VIRGINIA): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

HEALTHGRAM (formerly PRIMARY PHYSICIAN CARE): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and LMC (not contracted, very low to no volume for CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

HEALTHTEAM ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

HUMANA CHOICECARE: Accepted at all locations

HUMANA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Accepted at all locations

LIBERTY ADVANTAGE (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

MAGELLAN (BEHAVIORAL HEALTH): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not applicable to services provided at LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

MEDCOST: Accepted at all locations

MEDCOST ULTRA: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, LMC, Wilkes and High Point (not applicable at CHC)

PHCS/MULTIPLAN: Accepted at NCBH, CHC, LMC and High Point (not contracted, very low to no volume for WFUHS and Wilkes)

OPTUMHEALTH (TRANSPLANTS - APPLICABLE TO NCBH/WFUHS ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not applicable to services provided at LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

PREFERRED CARE OF VA INC: Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

SOUTHERN HEALTH SVCS (COVENTRY-PPO ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH and CHC (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, Wilkes and High Point)

TWIN COUNTY (VIRGINIA): Accepted at WFUHS and NCBH (not contracted, very low to no volume for LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: Accepted at WFUHS, NCBH, CHC and High Point (not applicable to services provided at LMC and Wilkes)

UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (WFUHS ONLY): Accepted at WFUHS (not applicable for services provided at NCBH, LMC, CHC, Wilkes and High Point)

UNITED HEALTHCARE: Accepted at all locations

UNITED HEALTHCARE ESSENTIALS ACA/EXCHANGE: Accepted at all locations

UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE: Accepted at all locations

VA CCN: Accepted at all locations

WELLCARE (MEDICARE ADVANTAGE): Accepted at all locations

LMC ONLY: Contracts specific to support Lexington employer groups, low volume
NATIONAL PROVIDER NETWORK/MEDICAL RESOURCES

CHC ONLY: Contracts specific to support CHC
TRICARE

Key

WFUHS - Wake Forest University Health Sciences (professional services)
NCBH - North Carolina Baptist Hospital (Includes Davie)
LMC - Lexington Medical Center
CHC - Cornerstone Healthcare
Wilkes - Wilkes Regional Medical Center
HPR- High Point Regional
N/A - Not applicable to services provided at facility and/or CHC
NC - Not Contracted, very low to no volume for facility and/or CHC

Referring Physicians

At Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, we understand the importance of referrals. Our physician liaisons partner with referring physicians in our community and beyond to provide information on our physicians and clinical services.

Contact the Physician Liaisons

Research and Clinical Trials

As part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, our patients have access to clinical trials—investigational treatments that help advance our understanding of fighting and curing cancer. Many of these trials are only available right here at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, and our physicians and staff will help you decide if choosing that pathway to treatment is right for you.